A’s Preview: New Bash Bros., Chris Carter & Michael Taylor

Well, maybe they’re not exactly “bash brothers” like Conseco and McGwire were in the late 80’s/early 90’s, but A’s prospects Chris Carter and Michael Taylor figure provide the power that Oakland has been missing for several years.

Carter, 23, was named the A’s top prospect due to his very productive season in the minors. In his impressive 2009 campaign, Carter hit .329 with 28 homers, 115 RBIs and a .992 OPS. In his minor league career, the 23 year old has managed to hit 67 homers, and knock in 219 runs (275 Reg. Season games). Carter also performed well in critical games, which is evident by his nine homers in 19 playoff games. And despite doing most of his damaged in Double-A, where his .337 with 24 homers, 101 RBIs in 125 games, Carter is expected to make an easy transition into Triple-A and eventually the big leagues.

Carter is expected to join the A’s sometime this season, but as of now, Carter isn’t expected to break with the major league team. The A’s want to make sure that he’s ready before he gets the call up to the majors. Make no mistake, once Carter is up in the big leagues, he’s there to stay.

Another key prospect, is OF Michael Taylor, who was brought to the A’s via trade with Toronto. In the trade, the A’s sent prospect, Brett Wallace (acquired from Holliday trade), to Toronto. Despite having high praise for Wallace, the A’s must’ve felt that he wasn’t going to be able to play third-base in the majors—since they traded him shortly after acquiring him.

Taylor, the A’s second-highest rated prospect, is close to major league ready. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound outfielder, is considered by the A’s to be a five-tool player. Here’s a little bit of what A’s GM, Billy Beane said about acquiring Taylor, “We just think that not only is he a good prospect and player now, he continues to get better every year.” (Mercury News).

With Taylor, the A’s finally have a player who could potentially hit 25 or 30 homers in a single season. In 314 minor league games (only 30 in AAA), Taylor has hit .314. Last season, the 24 year old, hit 20 homers (Double-A/Triple-A split). And in 2008, he hit 19. The A’s are desperately counting on Taylor to be a player who will provide the “thunder” in the middle of the lineup for years to come. In my own opinion, Taylor seems to be the real deal—and he should have no problem adjusting to the majors.

Although both players aren’t expected to open with the A’s, both are expected to appear sometime in the future. Until then, A’s fans will have to wait patiently to see a reincarnated “Bash Brothers” do damage in Oakland.